6 minute read
Girls’ Tennis
SENIOR GIRLS’ TENNIS
It was unfortunately such a short summer term, not helped by external exams quickly kicking in, and a washout June! Nevertheless, our season got off to a flying start on the first day of term with a strong fixture against York University. We lost 3 to 6 against the much older girls.
Our senior squad this year was strengthened with new girls Sophie O’Callaghan and Stella King. We trained hard every Tuesday teatime indoors throughout the winter, at David Lloyd, under the careful eye and expertise of Marius Barnard.
As the weeks progressed and a big commitment from the girls to our coaching programme, we were able to win the U18 York Team Tennis League in some close matches. Unfortunately, our St Peter’s Senior Tennis Festival got cancelled due to rain, again one of the highlights of the season.
Sofiya remained our strongest player, but always well supported by Upper Sixthexperienced players, Captain Tara Jones, Georgina Edwards and Josie Heijbroek. We wish our Upper Sixth leavers well, and hope they continue playing this wonderful game of tennis. I should like to thank them for their outstanding service over the years. However next year, we shall welcome back our strong Fifth Formers who missed almost all the season on exam leave.
So, overall a good tennis term as always winning the majority of our fixtures, and always played in our usual St Peter’s fair and sporting manner. May I thank all of our coaches for their wonderful input, and wise words of wisdom!
Well done everybody!
The following girls represented the Senior team: S. Aleksandrova *, S. O’Callaghan *, T. Jones *, G. Edwards *, S. King *, J. Heijbroek *, K. Bonner, P. Brown, L.G. Gath, J. Nixon, I. Greenwood, I. Greaney, H. Aubrey * denotes first team
U-19 LOVEBAND TROPHY
In the main draw, both pairs won a couple of matches and came third overall in their round robin leagues. So it was onto the Loveband Plate Competition! Sonya and Gorgina progressed extremely well beating Benenden 6-4 6-1 in the quarter finals, then New Hall in the semis. In the final they went down narrowly to Stanford losing 7-5 2-6 8-10 (tie break). This appearance in the final was our best result in over a decade at Eton, and it couldn’t have been closer, with an odd point here and there deciding the outcome.
UNDER-15S
This was yet again another outstanding season for this talented bunch of players, following on from their success the previous year. The first team was made stronger with newcomer Flora Watson who quickly formed an attacking first pair partnership with Poppy Courtis. In the national Aegon Competition they were very well supported by second pair Alex Amsden and Emily Yeung. Despite losing their only match of the entire season in this competition 2 to 4 to Ampleforth, the team has qualified for the knockout stage in September. A fine achievement.
The top three pairs played in the St Peter’s Junior Festival, and overall came fourth on a rainy day where the festival was curtailed to just an afternoon. Our festivals are very popular on the Northern circuit and the standard of tennis is very high. Our second team also had several matches throughout the summer, and their ability to play good consistent tennis reflects our strength in depth in our tennis squads. Overall they won some and lost some matches, and learned along the way. Better footwork and improved consistency should help their progress next year. Overall, what great girls to work with and a big thank you to our coaching team. The following girls represented the teams: F. Watson *, P. Courtis *, A. Amsden *, E. Yeung *, M. Lindley *, E. Gillies *, J. Jones, R. Johnson, P. Dodsworth, E. Matthews, E. Urwin, S. Maude, S. Aston * denotes first team
U-15 ASBURY – BAILY CUP 2019
Our first pair of Poppy and Flora won through in the main draw, lost the next match but had a good run in the Springthorpe Cup. They eventually lost 4-8 to New Hall and put up a great fight against Clifton College.
They were well supported by Emily and Alex, who had some very strong opponents in their round robin groups.
Overall a fantastic few days where we were able to watch and support each other. We shared the disappointments and victories, but an invaluable learning experience!
UNDER-14S
Following on from another super five day terms trip to Portugal, where enthusiasm and standards were raised, the season got off to a great momentum.
The squad consisted of nineteen players, and all represented the A/B teams at some point in the season. Holly Bletcher and Phoebe McKelvie proved to be a strong first pair, but were ably backed up by Olivia and Jess, and Astrid and Grace. These six girls show great potential and proved their worth by winning our U14 St Peter’s Tennis Festival and also the U14 York Junior Team Tennis League. We were runners up at the Chapman Cup ‘A’ Tournament and winners of the B’s.
Over the season the first team had 100% record of wins, and enjoyed also some lovely mixed tennis carrying the St Peter’s boys! The second team squad was rotated and they too had a very successful season what a wonderful time we had apart from the
GIRLS’ TENNIS RESULTS 2019
DATE OPPOSITION 1ST 2ND U15A U15B U14A U14B
20/02/19 Hymers 1-1 - 9-0 - 5-1 -
11/05/19 Ampleforth 2-7 - 4-2 - 7-0 4-5
11/05/19 RGS - - - 3-6 - -
21/05/19 Queen Margaret’s - - - - 6-0 6-0
occasional June shower, and all of the girls responded so well to the three times weekly coaching sessions. Many thanks to all of our coaching team, who never fail to inspire!
The following girls represented the teams: H. Bletcher *, P. Mckelvie *, J. England *, O. Ford *, A. Smith *, G. Nixon *, R. Bennett, A. Sun, E. Taylor, H. Pears, J. Hui, S. Moir, R. Jones, N. Granville-Fall, T. Meere, J. Field, A. White, M. Popova, M. Rycroft, * denotes first team
GIRLS’ INTER-HOUSE TENNIS COMPETITION
There were some extremely strong teams fielded by the eight Houses, which culminated in a lovely final. Rise beat Hope 24 games to 21, with Clifton and School coming joint third.
ETON 2019
It’s an amazing four-day tournament involving hundreds of youngsters, playing tennis at all sorts of levels. We are there to test game having dedicated many hours of training throughout the year. Winning is a process and enjoyment also; this is what characterises St Peter’s at any time in this prestigious tournament.
The standards across the boys and girls age groups are breathtaking. Win or lose, our players accepted the outcomes and challenges and played in a remarkable spirit, at this truly spectacular Eton College venue.
The following girls represented at St Peter’s: Under 19s: S. Aleksandora, S. O’Calloghan, G. Edwards, T. Jones, J. Heijbroek. Under 15s: F. Watson, P. Courtis, A. Amsden, E. Yeung.
Mrs J.M Whitehead
